Joy that afflicts, misery that profits

There is a joy that is affliction; misery is hidden within it.  There is a misery that is profit; it is a fountain of joys in the new world. 

On chastisement

For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Hebrews 12:6 (NKJV) 

The earth, the vine, and the olive are in need of chastisement.  When the olive is bruised, then its fruit smells sweet.  When the vine is pruned, then its grapes are good.  When the soil is plowed, its yield is good.  When water is confined in channels, desert places drink of it; brass, silver and gold, when they are burnished, shine. 

On purity and diet

He has no lasting purity and chastity who is not contented always to keep to a well-balanced and temperate diet. 

Wrong attitudes toward the Beatitudes

From the November 26, 2011 posting on Cyberdesert: 

 

There are many people in the world who are poor in spirit, but not in the way that they should be;
 

There are many who mourn, but for some financial loss or the death of their children;
 

Many are gentle, but towards unclean passions;
 

Many hunger and thirst, but only to seize what does not belong to them and to profit from injustice;
 

Many are merciful, but towards their bodies and the things that serve the body;
 

Many are pure in heart, but for the sake of self-esteem;
 

Many are peace-makers, but by making the soul submit to the flesh;
 

Many are persecuted, but as wrongdoers;
 

Many are reviled, but for shameful sins.

 

St. Maximos the Confessor (Third Century on Love: 46)
http://cyberdesert.wordpress.com/

On affliction--two short quotes

God measures out affliction according to our need.  St. John Chrysostom

Let your afflictions be books to admonish you.  St. Ephraim of Syria

Blessed are the merciful

Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan. 

On being afflicted

For it rests with us to profit or to be injured by afflictions.  It depends not upon the nature of the affliction, but upon the disposition of our own minds.